Dear Sir or Madam,
The National Park Service (NPS) is developing an implementation plan for nonmotorized boating facilities and related park improvements in the western section of Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C. The 1987 Georgetown Waterfront Park Master Plan established a zone for boathouse facilities that has not yet been implemented. The need for such facilities was confirmed in the 2013 Feasibility Study for a Nonmotorized Boathouse Zone.
The proposed project area extends from 34th Street, NW within Georgetown Waterfront Park to approximately a quarter-mile upriver from Key Bridge. The project area encompasses both public and private land including portions of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Rock Creek Park, and several privately-owned parcels (the Potomac Boat Club, several private residences, and a small parcel accessible from the shoreline only).
The purpose of this project is establish a Potomac River recreation zone that more fully supports non-motorized recreation, increases the public's access to the river, improves functionality of the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) as it connects to the Georgetown Waterfront Park, and respects the historic character, natural resources, and existing recreational use of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Rock Creek Park. Nonmotorized boating facilities are needed in Georgetown due to limited public access points for nonmotorized boating and paddle sports along the Georgetown waterfront. Increased popularity for nonmotorized water sports (canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddle boarding, etc.), and insufficient capacity at current boathouse facilities that provide access to the river and related amenities (boat storage, concessions, access facilities, boat rentals, beach, and docks. The current configuration of the CCT and its connection to Georgetown does not provide safe and compatible access for pedestrians and bicyclists with motorized vehicles to and through the "zone."
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the NPS will be preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate these proposed actions. The EA will address the project background, the purpose and need for the proposed actions, a determination of environmental issues and potential impacts resulting from the alternatives considered (including the no action alternative), and public involvement and agency coordination. Concurrent to the NEPA process, the NPS will conduct consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).
At this time, the NPS is announcing a public scoping meeting and a 30-day public scoping period to solicit public comments on preliminary alternatives for this proposal (see attached newsletter). The meeting will consist of an open house with a short presentation. NPS staff will be on hand to visit with you and answer questions.
The public scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm at the Palisades Public Library at 4901 V Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007. For further information or if you have special needs to be accommodated during this public open house please contact: Tammy Stidham, National Capital Region, at (202) 619-7474.
The public is invited to identify any issues or concerns they might have with the proposed project so that the NPS can appropriately consider them in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment. Comments may be provided either in person at the meeting or electronically at the National Park Service's Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website (
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/nmbzea) or submit written comments to:
Tammy Stidham
Chief, Planning, Compliance & GIS
National Capital Region
National Park Service
ATTN: Georgetown Nonmotorized Boathouse Zone Development Plan
1100 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, DC 20242
Please submit your scoping comments by February 19, 2015. Once the EA is developed, it will be made available for public review for a 30-day period. If you wish to be added to the park's mailing list for this or other announcements, please be sure to indicate that in your response.
